Earth moving machine



G. E. DECKER EARTH MOVING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 18, 1945 Em 5 N #0 B gr. 0 T 0 1w W m p A Mj .0 M flr M MM @W% Y Z 1949- 1 G.DECKER 2,478,462

I EARTH MOVING MACHINE Filed Dec. 18, 1945 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 //v1//-/T0e642440 E. Der/nee 5y WH/TEHEAD 9 V064 PEP @wn 1949- G. E. DECKER2,478,462

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EARTH MOVING MACHINE Filed Dec. 18, 1945 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 flvvwrae6,422.40 5. DEC/(E? 5y WH/TEHEAO 1 061. PPM

Aug. 9, 1949. s. E. DECKER 2,478,462

EARTH MOVING MACHINE Filed Dec. 18, 1945 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.fine/9L0 ff DEC/{5P rul- VIIIIIIIIIIII Ins/w. 706

, ATTORNEYS Aug; 1949- G. E. DECKER EARTH MOVING MACHINE Fi led Dec.

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' ATTO EY.

Patented Au 9, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 18 Claims.

This invention relates to excavating apparatus and especially to suchapparatus which is attachable to and operable by a tractor and whichpushes a bucket or blade at its front for moving the earth from itspath.

Objects of the invention are to provide, in apparatus of the classdescribed, ((1.) improved means for scooping up the earth in front ofthe apparatus, lifting such earth and dumping the earth to one side ofthe apparatus; (b) improved means for securing to the apparatus thebucket or scoop, which means can also be used for securing to theapparatus the usual grading blade or the usual. bulldozer blade, thusmaking the apparatus usable for scooping and dumping earth, forbulldozer work or for ordinary grading; (c) improved means for elevatingthe apparatus, relative to the tractor, for the purpose oftransportation between work locations; (d) improved means for raisin aloaded scoop or bucket; (e) improved means for moving or swinging araised, loaded bucket from the front to the side of the apparatus; (1')improved means for swinging a loaded bucket outwardly and dumping thesame distantly from the apparatus; (9) means which serve both for themoving or swinging of the loaded bucket to the side of the apparatus andfor positioning, angularly to the line of travel of the apparatus, agrading blade or bu ldozer blade operatively secured to the apparatus inplace of the bucket; (h) a rugged, eflicient and simply operableapparatus.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, all of which shall morefully hereinafter appear, the invention comprises certain novelconstructions, combinations and arrangements of parts as will now bedescribed and as defined in the appended claims and as illustrated, inpreferred embodiment, in the accompanying illustrative.

drawing in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation view of the excavator withparts in position for movement from one location to another.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation view of the excavator with parts in positionfor dumping the load to one side.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the excavator with parts in position forexcavating operation.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view approximately on line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view substantially on line 5-5 of Fig.3, excluding the bucket.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of line 1-1 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is an elevational view on line 8-8 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is a sectional'view on line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on line iii-48 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary section taken on line I!H of F18. 3.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary section taken on line l2-i2 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary section on line l3--i3 of Fi 12.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary plan view on line -44 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 15 is a section on line 15- of Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary view taken on line Iii-l6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 17 is a section on line lI-l'l of F 16.

The structure constituting this invention includes a base of generally Ushape adapted for pivotal connection with a tractor generally indicatedat T, the base comprising side bars 20 suitably connected, as bywelding, with a semicircular channelled track 2|, the bars and trackforming the U shaped base, the ends of the bars 20 being pivotallymounted on the tractor in alignment with the tractor rear axle as at 22.

A plate 24 serves as a base for operations later described and thisplate is amxed to and supported by a frame comprising two side members23, of approximately inverted V shape suitably mounted on the tractor,as by bolting thereto (not shown), with the apex portions of the V'sinclined inwardly to converge at the plate 24, the inwardly inclinedportions being indicated at 2311.

Rollable on semicircular track 2| and pivotally connected with plate 24is a framework comprising a pair of opposed, channelled uprights 25cross braced as at 2'3 and 26a and, at the bottom, by member 21 whichserves, also, as a base for the jack which will be later described. Thisframework also includes a triangular rearwardly projecting elementcomprising a pair of horizontal members 28 and a pair of channel members29 connecting the rear ends of members 28 with the tops of uprights 25,the members 28 and 29 being afiixed to each other at their rear ends, asshown at Figs. 1, 2 and 4, and to the uprights 25 at their front endsand the two sides of this triangular element being suitably cross bracedby described.

to plate 35 which bears upon plate 24 and is centrally pivoted theretoas at 36. This framework is supported on rollers 31, carried at thelower ends of uprights 25 and adapted to roll, and support theframework, on outer rail 2|a of track 2|, the rollers having flanges 38adapted to hold the rollers on rail 2|a. The means for moving theframework along the track 2| around pivot 36 will be later described.Any suitable pendants 25a from uprights 25 for supporting the outer endsof rollers 31 may be provided indicated at Figs. 1, 2 and 6.

The rotative frame work, just described, resting on track 2|, and track2| being integral with side bars 28, and these side bars being pivotedto the tractor at 22, it will be obvious that the assembly comprisingbars 20, track 2| and uprights 25 and associated parts may be swungupwardly around pivot 22, when desired, as in case of transportation ofthe apparatus from one to another location for work. Any suitable devicemay be provided for raising the track, it being understood that raisingthe track will accomplish the raising of the assembly, just mentioned,out of operative position. The raising means found eflicient andillustrated in the drawing comprises a pair of jacks 39 hooked to bellcrank levers 46, the other ends of the levers being linked to track 2|as by chains 4|. It will be obvious that, as illustrated at Fig. 1, whenthe just mentioned assembly is raised, the uprights 25 and associatedparts will incline somewhat to the rear. This results in a change ofposition of member 28 and associated parts relative to plate 35, namely,a raising of member 28 above plate and a slight movement of member 28toward the rear relative to plate 35. Both of the movements are providedfor by the link 32 pivoted at 33 and 34 as above described.

The means for moving the uprights 25 and associated parts alongsemicircular track 2|, around pivot 36, will now be described, beingillustrated at Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

Aflixed to the lower front portions of uprights 25 are two channelmembers 42 each having an upward continuation 42a hinged thereto as atat 43 but otherwise unattached to uprights 25. The structure andfunction of the tracks 42-42a will be later described. The tracks 42 areconnected, as later described, with the means for moving the uprights 25around the track 2|.

Segmental member 44, having engaging means as holes 44a, is affixed tothe framework, of which uprights 25 and tracks 42 form a part, by meansof lugs 45 secured to blocks 46 by pins 41, the blocks 46 being affixedto tracks 42. Slight rotative movement of lugs 45 on pins 41 is allowedin order to take care of change in interrelative angularity of partswhen the track 2| is raised into position for transportation asillustrated at Fig. 1. Obviously, the movement of segmental member 44 ineither direction in line with track 2| will move tracks 42 and,therethrough, uprights 25 along track 2| in a semicircular path to theend of track 2| at the side of the tractor. The means for moving orswinging segmental member 44, to one side or the other, comprise adouble pulley 48 mounted beneath the tractor for rotation in eitherdirection and being encircled by cables 49 and 50 connected with thetractors power take 011 and being adapted to be rotated in eitherdirection according to which cable is pulled by the power take off. Thepulley carries, on its under side, channel member 5| in which socket 52is pivoted as at 53. Forked bar 54 telescopes in socket 52 and its tines54a and 54b slidingly engage the top and bottom surfaces, respectively,of segmental member 44. Bottom tine 54b carries a pin 55 slidablymounted through the tine and normally forced upward, into contact withthe under surface of segmental member 44, by resilient-means, as spring56 and is positioned to automatically enter one of the holes 44awhenever the fork is swung to right or left as far as said holes.conventionally indicated at 51 is any suitable means, as an air jack,for operating any suitable means, as sliding loop 58, to retract spring56 and thus withdraw pin 55 from hole 44a when desired.

Suitable means, as latch 59 pivoted as at 68 in the bumper-brace block,later described, normally drops into notch 6| in the inner rail 2 lb oftrack 2| and holds the uprights and associated parts on center, innormal excavating position. When it is desired to swing the uprights toone side or the other the latch may be lifted from the notch 6| by anysuitable means as the conventionally indicated air jack 62 connectedwith the latch as at 63. Additional notches 6| may be provided whereverdesired in rail 2": so as to lock the uprights (and the blade or bucketcarried thereon and hereafter described) at any desired angle to theline of travel of the tractor.

An excavating bucket, or bulldozer or grading blade 68 is carried infront of the track 42-42n. in a seat 64, suspended on cables laterdescribed, on the opposite ends of which seat are brackets 65 carryingrollers 66 adapted to roll vertically in tracks 42--42a, the bucket orblade 68 being secured to the seat by suitable means according to thekind of blade or bucket to be used and the use to be made of the same.There is here illustrated an excavating bucket which is to be dumped andit is, therefore, illustrated as hingedly attached to seat 64 by pivotsor hinges 61 in the lower ends of bracket 65, the bucket being normallyheld against the seat by catches 63 pivoted in the brackets 65 andadapted to normally engage the top edge of the bucket and hold ittightly in the seat. The catches are releasable by any suitable means asby air jack 10 mounted on block 10c and operatively connected with leveraflixed, through the pivot bar Ila, to catches 69.

Suitable means are provided to cushion the jolt or jar of the droppingor dumping of the bucket when the catch 69 is lifted and the bucketreleased. The preferred means illustrated in the drawing comprisecylinders 12 carried by brackets 65 in which cylinders are compressionsprings 13, the outer ends of which are engaged by head 14 of bar I5within the coils of the springs and connected, at their other ends, withcables or chains 16 connected with the upper edge portion of the bucketas at 11 whereby, when the bucket falls outwardly the slack in the chainor cable will be taken up and the bar 15 will be drawn forward causingthe head 14 to compress the spring and cushion the dropping of thebucket outwardly in the dumping operation.

Tracks 4242a, as previously indicated, normally lie against the frontfaces of uprights 25, the webs of these channeled track members facil'lginwardly and their channels opening outwardly as clearly shown at Figs.1, 2, 4 and 6 to 10, forming tracks in which the rollers 66 rollvertically and guide the bracket-seat-bucket assembly as it is raised orlowered by the means new to be described. It will be remembered thatparts 42 of these tracks are afllxed to the uprights 25 while parts 42aare hingedly connected, as at 43, with parts 42 and, while the parts 42anormally lie against the front faces of uprights 25 in alignment withparts 42, they are free to be inclined outwardly on hinges 43 as clearlyshown at Fig. 2.

Cross brace 21 (Fi 8) carries a suitable seat for telescoping-pistonhydraulic jack 18, which seating may conveniently comprise ears 18a toaccommodate base lug 181) secured therein by p-in 18c. Ram 19 of thejack carries on its upper end a bar 80 from the ends of which pins 8|project into slide blocks 82 adapted to slide vertically in the inwardlyfacing opposed-channels of uprights 25, pulleys 83 being rotatablycarried by pins 8|. Pulleys 84 (Fig. 9) rotatable on pins 84a, aremounted on the inner faces of uprights 25 and in planes substantiallycoincident with pulleys 83.

The pins 94a are conveniently seated in blocks 85 affixed within thechannels of uprights 25 and may be braced or reinforced in any suitablemanner not shown.

A shaft 86 serves as a cross brace between the ends of tracks 42a andits ends project beyond the outer edges of the flanges of said tracks,as

at 86a, for purposes later described. This shaft carries pulleys 81 insubstantially the same planes as pulleys 83 and 84.

The bracket-seat-bucket assembly is raised alongtracks 42--42a by cables88 secured to the lower rear faces of uprights 25 in any suitable manneras'to U bolts 89 (Fig. 9), and passing thence over pulleys 83, underpulleys 84, over pulleys 81 and thence to and secured, by any suitablemeans, as eye bolts 88a in the top edge of seat 64 as conventionallyindicated at Fig. 13, whereby the actuation of jack 18 will raise bar 80and its carried pulleys 83 thus raising the said assembly up alongtracks 42-42a. It will be understood that jack 18, being atelescopingpiston hydraulic jack, will raise the bar 89 to the top ofuprights 25 and as, by reason of the cable and pulley arrangement, justdescribed, the said assembly will rise twice as fast as bar 80 and itspulleys 83, the raising of bar 80 from its normal position, shown atFigs. 8 and 9, to the top of the uprights 25 will raise the assembly thefull length of tracks 4242a, namely, to 'the top thereof and ready forthe tipping and dumping operation now to be described. I

Double acting jack 99 is pivotally mounted on pin 9|b seated in lugs 9|acarried by cross brace 9| between channel members 28 as clearly shown atFig. 4. Ram 92 of this jack carries sliding cross bar 93 adapted toslide in the channels of members 29. Attached to cross bar 93 is a crossbar 94 carrying rollers 95 pinned to its ends by pins 96, which pinsalso pass through and hold the ends of side bar links 91, the other endsof which links are engaged by ends 86a of shaft 86 whereby when jack 90is actuated to project its ram the cross bar assembly 93-94 will slideand roll along members 29 and links 91 will force tracks 42a forwardlyinto inclined position illustrated at Fig. 2. The reverse actuation ofthe jack 99 will, of course, retract tracks 42a to normal position inalignment with tracks. 42.

Bumper-brace biock 9a is positioned below the lower ends of uprights andbetween and dverlapping the rear faces of tracks 42, thus cross bracingtracks 42. The rear surface of this block is curved to conform to thefront surface of track 2| as clearly shown at Fig. 6. A minute clearancebetween the block 98 and the track 2| is provided so as to avoidfriction as the upright assembly is swung around the track 2| but, atthe same time, to provide for the seating of the block 98 against thefront surface of the track 2| when the blade or bucket 68 is beingforced into the earth to be excavated, whereby the track 2| serves as anabutment against which the lower portion of the bucket-upright assemblyrests, and

which in turn transmits the forward pressure of the tractor T, throughblock 98 and associated parts, to the bucket-seat assembly 84 to 68.

From the foregoing description it will be obvious that when it isdesired to transport this apparatus from one point to another theactuation of the lifting jacks 39 will raise the assembly to theposition shown at Fig. 1, wherein the bucket and other parts of theassembly will be well above any obstructions which would otherwise beencountered by the bucket in the course of such transportation. It willalso be obvious that the lifting jacks 39 may be used for regulating theheight of the bucket 68 for excavating purposes, or the height of abulldozer or grader blade which may be seated upon the seat 64 in placeof the bucket when it is desired to use the apparatus for bulldozer orgrading purposes.

It will also be apparent from the foregoing description that when agrading or bulldozer blade is seated upon the seat 64, such blade may bepositioned at any desired angularly to the line of travel of the tractorby rolling the assembly to one side or the other of the track 2| by theswinging mechanism above described, and when such blade has been swungto the desired angularity it may be there secured by seating the latch59 in one of the notches 6|. The bucket 69 may also and in like mannerbe positioned angularly to the line of travel of the tractor, but theusual operation of the bucket for excavating purposes will be with thebucket positioned straight ahead of the tractor.

When the bucket has been filled with earth as a result of its beingforced thereinto by the tractor, elevating jack T8 is operated, thusraising the bucket to the top of the track 42a, whereupon the swingingmechanism is operated, causing the bucket-upright assembly to rollaround the track 2| to one side .or the other, according to the way inwhich the swinging mechanism is operated, to the position indicated atFig. 2, whereupon jack is actuated to force track 42a to the inclinedposition indicated at Fig. 2, whereupon catch 69 is released by themechanism above described and the bucket drops to the position shown atFig. 2 and dumps the contents to the side of and at a distance from theapparatus. This is the method in which this apparatus will be mostcommonly employed in the construction of ditches and canals, wherein thebucket will be forced straight ahead, excavating the dirt from thebottom of the canal and depositing the same to the side of the apparatusand thus forming the bank of the canal.

I have illustrated in the drawing and herein described many details ofconstruction but it will be understood that other equivalent structuresmay be used in many cases and such equivalents will occur to thoseskilled in the art, and my patent protection is not to be limited to thedetails illustrated and described but is to cover and protect, as well,all equivalent or alternative structures within the spirit and scope ofthe foregoing specification and the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In material handling apparatus for association with a movablevehicle, an attachable curved track closely carried by the vehicleadjacent the ground and extending in surrounding relation to thevehicle, an upstanding framework having its lower end extending belowthe top of the vehicle and to a point adjacent the ground, verticallyarranged track means carried by the framework, means for mounting theframework on the curved track for bodily movement on said curved track,a material handling implement carried by the framework and capable ofmoving on the framework track means upwardly and downwardly between aposition adjacent the lower end of the framework and a position adjacentthe top of the framework,

-means for moving the implement on the framework track means between thesaid positions,

for movement in a straight path upwardly and downwardly on theframework, means including a curved track carried by the vehicleadjacent the ground for moving the framework together with the implementto different positions around and means for moving the framework andtrack means as a whole with the implement carried thereby. on the curvedtrack so that the implement regardless of its position on the frameworkmay be placed at different positions about the vehicle.

2. In material handling apparatus for association with a movablevehicle, a curved track carried by the vehicle adjacent the ground, anupstanding framework having its lower end extending below the top of thevehicle and to a point adjacent the ground, means for mounting theframework on the track for bodily movement on said track, a materialhandling implement carried by the framework and capable of moving on theframework upwardly and downwardly between a position adjacent the lowerend of the framework and a position adjacent the top of the framework,means for moving the implement on the framework between the saidpositions, means for moving the framework as a whole with theimplementcarried thereby on the curved track so that the implement regardless ofits position on the framework may be placed at different positions aboutthe vehicle, and

implement as a unit.

means for raising and lowering the track to tending to a point adjacentthe ground, vertically arranged track means on the framework, a materialhandling implement mounted for movement upwardly and downwardly on theframework track means, and means for bodily moving as a unit theframework and track means together with the implement upwardly anddownwardly with respect to the vehicle.

4. In material handling apparatus for association with a movablevehicle, an upstanding framework closely carried by the vehicle andextending to a point adjacent the ground, vertically arranged trackmeans on the framework, a material handling implement mounted formovement upwardly and downwardly on the framework track means, means forbodily moving as a unit the framework and track means together with theimplement upwardly and downwardly with the vehicle, and means for bodilymoving as a unit the curved track and. framework together with theimplement upwardly and downwardly with respect to the vehicle.

6. In a material handling apparatus for association with a movablevehicle, an upstanding framework carried by the vehicle and extending toa point adjacent the ground, a material handling implement, track meanson the framework for the implement, means for pivotally mounting theupper portion of the track means on the framework for outward swingingmovement relative to the framework, means for raising and lowering theimplement on the track means, means for swinging the upper portion ofthe track means outwardly and return. and means for raising and loweringthe framework, track means and the 7. In a material handling apparatusfor association with a movable vehicle, an upstanding framework carriedby the vehicle and extending to a point adjacent the ground, a materialhandling implement, track means on the framework for the implement,means for pivotally mounting the upper portion of the track means on theframework for outward swinging movement relative to the framework, meansfor raising and lowering the implement on the track means, means forswinging the upper portion of the track means outwardly and return,means for swinging the whole framework and the implement as a unit in acurved path around at least a portion of the vehicle body, and means forraising and lowering the framework, track means and the implement as aunit.

8. In material handling apparatus for association with a movablevehicle, an upstanding framework carried by the vehicle and extending toa point adjacent the ground, a support structure carried by the vehicleand having a part adjacent the framework at a point intermediate itsends, a material handling implement mounted for movement upwardly anddownwardly on the framework, means for moving the implement on theframework, means for moving the framework bodily upwardly and downwardlywith respect to no the framework, and a pivoting connection meansbetween the framework and the support structure permitting the frameworkto have relative movement to the support structure but forming a rigidbrace when the framework is in its lower position.

9. In material handling apparatus for association with a vehicle, anupstanding framework, a support structure on the vehicle, means forswingin the framework in a curved path around the vehicle, means forraising and lowering the framework, connecting means between theframework and supporting structure for bracing the upper portion of theframework and including means for permitting the raising and lowering ofthe framework relative to the support structure I sausage and for itsmovement in the curved path, a material handling implement mounted forupward and downward movement in a straight path on the framework, andmeans for moving the implement on the framework.

10. In material handling apparatus for association with a vehicle, anarcuate track around a portion of the lower part of the vehicle, meansfor mwgi the track upwardly and downwardly about an axis remote from thetrack, an upstanding framework mounted for movement on the track andwith the track when moved about the remote axis, means for moving theframework on the track in any position of the track, a material handlingimplement mounted for movement upwardly and downwardly on the frameworkin a straight path, and means for moving the implement on the framework.

11. In material handling apparatus for association with a vehicle, asupporting structure mounted on the vehicle and extending above thevehicle, an upstanding framework extending above the vehicle and to apoint adjacent the ground, means for connecting the top portion of theframework to the top of the supporting structure to thereby permit theframework to swing about an axis at the top of the framework, saidconnection embodying a hinged link connection permitting the frameworkto have upward and downward movement with respect to the vehicle, meansfor moving the framework upwardly and downwardly, other means forswinging the framework bodily about the support axis, a materialhandling implement carried by the framework for movement in a straightpath upwardly and downwardly thereon, and means for moving theimplement.

12. In material handling apparatus for association with a movingvehicle, a curved track carried by one end of the vehicle and extendingaround the vehicle adjacent the ground, a framework mounted for movementon the track, a material handling implement for upward and downwardmovement on the framework, means for moving the implement upwardly anddownwardly, means for moving the framework and implement as a unit onthe curved track, and other means for raising and lowering the track tothereby raise and lower the framework and implement as a unit, saidtrack being so related to the framework as to form an abutment fordirectly receiving forces acting on the implement when said implement isin a lower working position on the framework and material is handled bymovement of the vehicle.

13. In material handling apparatus for association with a movablevehicle, an upstanding framework carried by the vehicle and includingparallel members, track means arranged to be co-extensive with theparallel members, means for pivotally mounting the upper portions of thetrack means so as to permit such portions to be swung outwardly withrespect to the framework members, a material handling implement mountedfor movement upwardly and downwardly on the track means, means formoving the implement, and other means for swinging the upper portions ofthe track means outwardly and return.

14. Earth moving apparatus comprising a tractor, a track carried by andsemi-encircling the front of the tractor, a framework mounted upon saidtrack and adapted to be moved therealong circularly around the front ofthe tractor, an earth moving implement carried by said frame- 1'0 work,means for moving said framework, and therewith said implement, alongsaid track throughoig substantially a semi-circular arc around the frontof the tractor, said framework extending upwardly above the tractor andcarrying a normally vertical track, means for raising said implementalong said vertical track, the upper portion of said vertical trackbeing hinged to the lower portion thereof and adapted to swing on saidhinges to an outwardly inclined position, and means for swinging saidhinged portion to and 'between its normal vertical and its saidoutwardly inclined positions.

- 15. Earth moving apparatus comprising a tractor; a. track carried byand semi-encircling the front of the tractor, a framework mounted uponsaid track and adapted to be moved therealong circularly around thefront of the tractor, an earth moving implement carried by saidframework, means for moving said framework, and therewith saidimplement, along said track throughout substantially a semi-circular arearound the front of the tractor, said track and framework being adapted,by pivotal mounting of the track on the tractor, to be swung abovenormal, operative position, said framework extending above the tractorand having its top portion pivotally connected with the tractorconcentrically of said track, to permit movement of the framework aroundthe tractor along the track, said top portion being also linked to thetractor adjacent said track-concentric pivot mounting whereby to permitupward swinging of said framework while maintaining said pivotalmounting and movement.

16. In material handling apparatus for association with a. movablevehicle, an attachable curved track mounted on the vehicle, means forlowering and raising the curved track, a material handling implementmounted on the curved track for movement to different positions thereonand also for movement upwardly and downwardly with the track, means forraising and lowering the implement in a straight path relatively to andindependently of the curved track, and means for moving the implement todifferent positions on the curved track.

17. In material handling apparatus for attach ment to a vehicle, acurved track positioned at the front end of the vehicle closely to thevehicle frame and extending from one side of the vehicle around thefront end thereof to the other side of the vehicle, means for pivotingthe curved. track for movement upwardly and downwardly including armsextending rearwardly from the ends of the curved track on opposite sidesof the vehicle and pivoted at their rear ends to the vehicle, means forraising and lowering the curved track about the pivot of the arms, meansincluding a material handling implement for relative movement on thetrack to different positions, and means for moving the implement, saidcurved track and implement being so associated with each other that thetrack will form an abutment for directly receiving forces acting on theimplement when material is being handled by movement of the vehicle.

18. In material handling apparatus for attachment to a vehicle, a curvedtrack positioned at the front end of the vehicle closely to the vehicleframe and extending from one side of the vehicle around the front endthereof to the other side of the vehicle, means for pivoting the curvedtrack for movement upwardly and downwardly including arms extendingrearwardly from the 11 ends 0! the curved track on opposite sides of thevehicle and pivoted at their rear ends to the vehicle. means for raisingand lowering the curved track about the pivot of the arms, meansincluding a material handling implement for relative movement on thetrack to diflerent positlons, means for moving the implement. and othermeans for moving the implement in a straight path upwardly anddownwardly only relatively to the curved track.

GARALD E. DECKER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are oi record in the file orthis patent:

Number Number UNITED STATES PATENTS v Name Date Mayhew Apr. 18, 1922Anthony Nov. 10, 1925 Gunning Nov. 16, 1937 Browner Feb. 8, 1938 RoyleApr. 14, 1942 Cochran Oct. 6, 1942 Maxwell ..'Oct. 30, 1945 Mandt Aug.6, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France July 11, 1932

